Latest news with #Wasserman
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
One reason for optimism for 2025 Patriots that isn't Drake Maye
One reason for optimism for 2025 Patriots that isn't Drake Maye Pro Football Focus' Dalton Wasserman shared one reason every team in the NFL should be optimistic about the 2025 season. When it comes to the New England Patriots, some might assume it would be second-year quarterback Drake Maye and the offensive line improvements. However, Wasserman took things in a different direction and chose Patriots coach Mike Vrabel's defense. The Patriots had a busy offseason upgrading the unit, starting with the blockbuster addition of Milton Williams, who signed a four-year, $104 million deal. Williams will join a healthy Christian Barmore along the defensive front. New England also addressed cornerback by signing veteran Carlton Davis III to play opposite Christian Gonzalez. Together, Davis and Gonzalez should form one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL. The team also revamped its linebacker position with the addition of Robert Spillane. Wasserman wrote: "The Patriots have the makings of a potentially dangerous defense. They handed out a huge contract to former Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, who led all interior defenders with a 91.7 PFF pass-rush grade last season. New linebacker Robert Spillane placed sixth at his position with an 87.3 PFF run-defense grade. Carlton Davis III could form one of the league's best cornerback duos with Christian Gonzalez. Throw in playmakers such as Christian Barmore, Keion White and Marcus Jones, and the Patriots could have one of the NFL's emerging defenses this season under head coach Mike Vrabel." Defense has historically been a calling card for the Patriots. Even when they struggled during Bill Belichick's final years, they still had a formidable defensive unit to lean on in hard times. The team lacked a defensive identity last season, and now, that appears to be changing under Vrabel. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers Reportedly Extend Safety DeShon Elliott
Steelers Reportedly Extend Safety DeShon Elliott originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Pittsburgh Steelers have locked down one of their own for another two years. Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Pittsburgh and safety DeShon Elliott have agreed to terms on a two-year, $12.5 million extension that includes $9.21 million guaranteed. "The #Steelers and safety DeShon Elliott agreed to terms on a two-year, $12.5 million extension including $9.21M in guarantees, per sources. After one of his best NFL seasons, Elliott finds a home in Pittsburgh on a deal done by CJ LaBoy and Quincy Peyton at Wasserman." Advertisement Elliott is a former sixth-round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, where he played three seasons before joining the Detroit Lions on a one-year deal in 2022. The next season, he signed a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins before joining the Steelers in March 2024 on a two-year, $6 million deal. He began training camp expecting to be the starting strong safety, replacing Damontae Kazee, who was moved to backup free safety. Elliott began the year playing opposite Minkah Fitzpatrick in the secondary. In his first season in Pittsburgh, Elliott appeared in 15 games with 14 starts with one interception, six passes defended, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He added a career-high 108 total tackles with 72 solo and four for loss with two QB hits. Advertisement For his career, the former Texas Longhorn has tallied 395 tackles with 274 solo and 16 for loss with 13 QB hits, 3.5 sacks, 23 passes defended, five forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries. Related: Steelers Offensive Lineman Announces Position Change Related: Could Steelers Target 2022 Day 2 Receiver? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nets projected to take F Drake Powell 27th overall in 2025 NBA Draft
Nets projected to take F Drake Powell 27th overall in 2025 NBA Draft The Brooklyn Nets have five picks to use in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, including four in the first round of what could be a class full of talent. Brooklyn may be trying to pull off a deal or two to lessen the load on player development, but until then, there are players that they can take at each spot, including a player from North Carolina with some upside. "Teams figure to put extra stock into Drake Powell's NBA combine performance and workouts after he spent the year spotting up on 49.2 percent of North Carolina's possessions and taking just 5.7 shots per game," Jonathan Wasserman wrote in his most recent mock draft for Bleacher Report. Wasserman has the Nets taking Powell with the 27th overall pick in the Draft, the pick they received from the Houston Rockets. "Despite the lack of production, there could still be first-round interest based on his outstanding physical profile, defensive projection and 37.9 percent three-point shooting," Wasserman continued. Following the conclusion of the 2024-25 college basketball season, Powell was projected to be a second-round pick after what he showed at North Carolina which wasn't much when just looking at his stats. Powell, 19, averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 37.9% from three-point land in 37 appearances. Powell was an integral part of a Tarheels team that finished with a 23-14 record, allowing them to make the NCAA Tournament where they made it past the First Four before losing in the first round to Ole Miss. While Powell did not put forth much in terms of statistics to show that he would be a prospect with high upside, his performance at the NBA Draft Combine showed scouts differently, as Wasserman alluded to. Powell, who Wasserman compares to New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones, displayed his athletic ability that gave many the impression that he could be an elite defender and shooter on the wing in the right situation.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
U.S. LA Olympics organizers confident to cover estimated cost of Games
NEW YORK, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Los Angeles Olympics organizers believe they are on track to meet or exceed their corporate fundraising goals in an effort to ensure that public funding will not be needed to pay for the Games, reported the Los Angeles Times on Monday. LA28 organizers aren't concerned about visa issues and travel bans preventing athletes from competing, with its chairman Casey Wasserman saying that taxpayers shouldn't be worried they will be handed a bill for the 2028 Olympics. "We are really confident in the progress we've made," said Wasserman. "We're focused on what we've always done to deliver the greatest Games we are capable of delivering in this city in the most fiscally responsible way that pays dividends for every member of our Olympic movement and our community." "With the city of Los Angeles facing deep financial problems and transportation updates lagging behind schedule, LA28 is under pressure to deliver a completely privately funded Games," noted the report. The private group says it remains up to the challenge as fundraising for the Los Angeles Games has been "going gangbusters," John Slusher, chief executive of LA28's commercial operation, said in an interview. The Los Angeles Olympic Games will open on July 14, 2028. According to the latest financial report filed to the city in March, LA28 plans to cover the proposed 7.1 billion U.S. dollars cost with about one-third of the projected revenue coming from domestic sponsorships and another one-third coming from ticketing and hospitality.
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
On3 lists the Auburn Tigers as a 2025 College Football Playoff 'sleeper'
On3 lists the Auburn Tigers as a 2025 College Football Playoff 'sleeper' On3's Ari Wasserman feels that it would be foolish to sleep on the Auburn Tigers this season. Auburn football has not experienced a winning season since the COVID-shortended 2020 season, but one analyst feels that this could be the year that the Tigers get over the mountain and will make a run to the College Football Playoffs in 2025. Ari Wasserman of On3 recently compiled a list of SEC and Big Ten teams that could create havoc in the College Football Playoff race in 2025, and the Auburn Tigers are on it. Wasserman cites quarterback play as a giant factor in Auburn's chances to earn a seat in the College Football Playoff for the first time ever. Auburn was the best bad team in college football last year. Despite having dysfunctional quarterback play the entire season, the Tigers fought hard, ran the ball well and were highly competitive against good teams. Now head coach Hugh Freeze — who has a long history of drawing up some ball plays — brought in three options at quarterback. It seems like Jackson Arnold, the Oklahoma transfer, will get the call. If he has a solid, productive offseason in which he develops, high-level quarterback play combined with an amazing 1-2 receiver punch of Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. could have the Tigers back in contention. With the talent that Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze has recruited to Auburn over the years, it feels that Auburn is close to making its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. Quarterback play will be under a high-powered microscope this season as most analysts, such as Wasserman, feel that will make the difference in the Tigers making a playoff push, or ending the season in a bowl game. Jackson Arnold joins the Tigers' roster after posting solid numbers at Oklahoma last season, completing 62% of his passes for 1,421 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for an additional 444 yards and three touchdowns. He will get a fresh start after a sophomore season filled with inconsistent offensive line play and an injury-filled season for the Sooners' wide receiver unit. Auburn will protect him with an experienced offensive line and a wide receiver room that is poised to be the best in the SEC this season. If Arnold becomes the quarterback that was he was projected to be as a five-star and the Gatorade Player of the Year from Texas, there is zero question that Auburn will be in the mix for a College Football Playoff bid. According to Wasserman, the South Carolina Gamecocks, Oklahoma Sooners, and Florida Gators join Auburn as SEC squads who are also considered a "sleeper" in the College Football Playoff pursuit. Based on this list, the Sept. 20 matchup between the Tigers and Sooners in Norman could be a major player in both team's College Football Playoff dreams. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
